Little Farms. Big Fun.

From dairy and livestock operations to tender fruit and specialty crops, Niagara’s South Coast has long been rooted in generations of farming tradition. While CBC’s Cows Come Home introduces viewers to life on a Fort Erie dairy farm, the series highlights just one facet of the area’s rural charm. Here are some fun ways to embrace the area’s rural roots on your next visit.‍

See What The Buzz Is About

WillowBee Apiary in rural Fenwick produces delicious raw, unpasteurized wildflower multifloral honey collected by hives located on its 10-acre farm. Jars of honey can be purchased at the farm. Just call or text in advance to confirm what you’d like is in stock and arrange a pickup time. For a first-hand look at how honey is made, head to WillowBee Apiary’s Observation Hive, located at Mingle Hill Farm in Saint Anns and watch through plexiglass as these incredible pollinators build honeycomb, store nectar, care for their young, and communicate with their fellow hivemates! While you’re there, be sure to browse Mingle Hill’s beautiful farm shop, stocked with natural skincare and pantry products made with the farm’s flower crops.

Stock Up At A Roadside Stand

A country drive through Niagara’s South Coast comes with tasty, locally grown treats around every corner courtesy of roadside stands showcasing the freshest flavours of the season. Road trip-worthy stops include Kettlehill Farm’s stand on Metler Road near Ridgeville and Ferhaven Farms in Port Colborne. Wainfleet’s Turaida Forest Garden sells an interesting assortment of nuts and berries, including haskaps, gooseberries, jostaberries, blackberries, red currants, black currants, mulberries, elderberries, bush cherries, hazelnuts, heartnuts, buartnuts, and pecans from its roadside stand.

Meet The Faces Behind The Farms

Stopping by one of the many local farmers’ markets is a wonderful way to get to know local growers. Be sure to seek out the father-daughter team behind Seven Sisters Farm at the Ridgeway and Port Colborne markets to learn about the benefits of their beloved elderberry syrup and stock up on their potent Siberian garlic! Other great weekly farmers’ markets worth timing a trip around include those in Pelham, Wainfleet, Crystal Beach, Ridgeway, Stevensville, and at the Fort Erie Race Track.

Sneak In Some Farm Animal Cuddles

A farm visit at Port Colborne’s Humberstone Ranch offers guests the chance to meet miniature fainting goats, give piglets belly scratches, feed Indian Runner ducks, watch Texas Longhorns, and experience farm life up close. Wainfleet’s Sunnyside Farms Animal Sanctuary prides itself on being both a haven for farm animals and a sanctuary for the soul, offering a safe, nurturing environment for animals that have been abandoned or can no longer be cared for by their owners. Book a farm visit in advance to meet the horses, cows, goats, pigs, chickens, turkeys, rabbits, cats, dogs, geese, and fowl.

Sip Something New on Niagara’s South Coast

Sons and Daughters Winery, just outside of Fonthill, is the first and only winery located within Niagara’s South Coast. Its unique location on the Fonthill Kame Delta, a unique geological feature formed after the last Ice Age, gives its vineyards a special microclimate and mineral-rich soil that play a crucial role in the depth and character of their wines. 

Discover even more ideas for your next Niagara’s South Coast adventure on our Stories, Sun and Sand, Water Adventures, Heritage and Culture, and Trails and Cycling pages. Then round out your trip by using the Accommodations and Food & Drink filters on our Destination Map to find tasty dining options and nearby places to stay.